Pooch parade benefits animal group

Sept. 16, 2013

Updated Sept. 19, 2013 12:04 p.m.

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Roscoe, left, wearing a devil's outfit acts the devilish part spurring on Iggy Stardust, an English bulldog, to no avail. Roscoe was rescued after being found tied up to a dumpster in Santa Ana at 5 weeks old. The mutt only weighed 3 pounds. They participated in the costume contest losing out to two very patriotically-dressed Dalmatians. The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals is held at Huntington Central Park East Beach Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Patriot, a one-year-old Husky, jumps on his owner Kevin Marlin of Orange wanting to be carried and "comforted." The former Camp Pendleton dog was abused with wire wrapped around his snout, leaving permanent scars. "Although he's scarred on the outside, it hasn't hurt his spirits on the inside," Marlin, Co-Grand Marshal of Husky Camp Rescue, says. Marlin believes Patriot was abused because the puppy was barking due to extreme boredom. Marlin exercises with the dog daily and in the last year, since owning his former foster dog, has lost about 40 pounds. "Tired dogs don't bark," he adds. "My wife asks what am I going to do when the dog weighs 75 lbs.?" His response is, "Get a backache." The close pair led the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Bella, 5, left, and his adopted "type a" brother Prufrock, 11, are more interested in looking at their owners than the camera. Although the mellow Great Dane outweighs the Chihuahua by more than 138 pounds, the little one is the boss, according to owners Bill and Sheree Carscadden of Garden Grove. The family prepares to walk a lap around Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday during the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals. This year's theme is "Dog Bless America." CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Spark, 4, is airborne after jumping off Whittier resident/owner Jaeleen Sattler's back. The Border Collie caught the disc and wowed the crowd during the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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This poodle keeps up with the people and looks back often making eye contact as they circle the lake at Huntington Beach Central Park East where the the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals. The event benefits the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Luci DeRose of Anaheim is a two-time raffle winner receiving two big doggie bags with various dog toys and dog treats. The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals includes low cost AVID microchipping, Southern California Working Snow Dogs mushing demonstration, Disc Dogs, canine contest for best pet trick and best patriotic costume, a mini agility course sponsored by the Zoom Room and more. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Eva Gutierrez of Palos Verdes cheers on the Disc Dogs. The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals at Huntington Beach Central Park East benefits the OCSPCA. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The crowd goes wild for the best patriotic costumes during the16th Annual Walk for the Animals benefiting the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Roscoe gives his owner a love bite when he doesn't want to wear socks. He eventually did. The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals is held at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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A trio of Italian Greyhounds circle the lake at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals benefits the OCSPCA. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Mary Lopez holding her firefighter, Perrito shares a laugh with another costume contestant. They lost out to two very patriotically-dressed Dalmatians during The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals held at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Petey, sporting a propeller beenie, got a lot of attention during the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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Jenny, 9, chauffeured by owner Dorice Hershfield of Orange travels in style due to an enlarged heart. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel later walks part of the way around Huntington Beach Central Park during the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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About 500 participants registered for the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals at Huntington Beach Central Park East Sunday. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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The Walking Company was one of the sponsors for the 16th Annual Walk for the Animals held in Huntington Beach. CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Roscoe, left, wearing a devil's outfit acts the devilish part spurring on Iggy Stardust, an English bulldog, to no avail. Roscoe was rescued after being found tied up to a dumpster in Santa Ana at 5 weeks old. The mutt only weighed 3 pounds. They participated in the costume contest losing out to two very patriotically-dressed Dalmatians. The 16th Annual Walk for the Animals is held at Huntington Central Park East Beach Sunday.CINDY YAMANAKA, ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

There really was only one place for pooches to see and be seen Sunday morning, at the 16th annual Walk for the Animals staged by the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

More than 500 animal lovers and their canine companions walked the trails of Huntington Beach Central Park, met and greeted each other, and enjoyed demonstrations of canine training. Pet owners could also buy “doggles” to protect their pets' eyes from the sun, pick up a pooch-sized Angels or Lakers jersey, or even get a canine massage.

Most of the hundreds of pooches of all shapes and sizes were well-behaved as they woofed and arfed their way down the trails. For the few that weren't, their owners could consult a pet psychic or the people at Grumpy Puppy Training.

Organizer Donna Calkin said the event annually raises about $30,000 for the OCSPCA's programs, including helping pay vet bills for low-income seniors and handing out spay-and-neuter vouchers.

The PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) program also provides therapy dogs for hospitals, nursing homes and the Orangewood Children's Center.

Beau and Starr, a pair of Dalmatians in red cowboy hats and red, white and blue vests won the “most patriotic pet costume” contest.

Owner Dory Van Weerdenburg of Garden Grove, who was dressed to match, has sewn dozens of costumes for her dogs, which they wear to their jobs as therapy dogs for PAWS.

Van Weerdenburg said volunteering with her therapy dogs is particularly rewarding because it's so easy to bring joy to nursing home residents or children, just by showing up with her pets.

“The kids are always so excited about seeing the Dalmatians,” she said.

Therapy dogs take a basic obedience course and must be able to stay calm in a strange and potentially chaotic situation. Some dogs need more training before they pass, after which they go on probation until they earn their certificates.

Rescue groups had booths set up in the park, offering pets and seeking foster homes.

16th annual Walk For The Animals

Sponsored by the Orange County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals

Huntington Beach Central Park

Walkers: 500 people and their pets

Money raised: $30,000

Best canine firefighter: Perrito, a Papillion and Chihuahua mix who belongs to Mary Lopez of Stanton. Perrito had a firefighter costume complete with coat, hat and fire extinguisher, but he didn’t much like to wear it.

Most unusual job: Lyndsie Lacock of Anaheim, who spends her summers as a dog musher on the Mendenhall Glacier in Alaska

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